Nail Salon Ventilation Systems

New regulations will take affect for all new Nail Salons as announced by NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to protect workers and customers from the harmful and dangerous contaminants used in Nail Salons by October 3, 2016. Existing Nail Salons licensed prior to October 3, 2016 will have an additional 5 years to comply with this requirement.

These new requirements, based on the 2015 IMC, will make mandatory a source capture system at each manicure and pedicure station that will exhaust 50cfm per station directly to the outdoors without any recirculation. The inlet of the exhaust will be required to be located not more than 12” horizontally and vertically from the point of chemical application. The exhausted air is to be discharged so that none of the harmful vapor, fumes, dust, and contaminants will enter any adjacent spaces. A make-up air system will be required to replace the ventilated air which will place an additional load to the cooling and heating requirements of the space and should be considered in it’s design.

Nail Salon ventilation requirements have been supported by reports by the Department of Health, that have found potentially harmful chemicals typically used in Nail Salons to cause short term and long term health effects for workers. Many nail products contain hazardous chemical such as toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive harm and cancer. Transmission can be airborne, contact with skin or eyes, or accidental ingestion trough contact with food, drink, etc. These can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and skin problems.

There will be leeway for existing Nail Salons for compliance with these new ventilation requirements until October 3, 2021. Although this is the case, owners may want to consider complying as customers may prefer going to Nail Salons where air quality is better and there is less exposure to harmful chemicals. Qualified workers may also tend to seek employment in well-ventilated Nail Salons and compliance with help attract or retain these employees, helping with overall business.

Contact us for more information regarding our nail salon exhaust system services.